DFAS director is leaving

Thomas Bloom, the director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, announced today that he is leaving his job in 30 days to pursue new opportunities.

'Today, I want to let you know my run as director is coming to an end,' Bloom said in an e-mail sent to DFAS' roughly 15,000 civilian and military personnel at 26 locations throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. 'As we near completion of my fifth year as director, I am choosing to take on new challenges and opportunities.'

Bloom, who headed the world's largest finance and accounting organization since May 24, 1999, commended DFAS employees on their performance, despite a 25 percent reduction in the total work force since 1999.

'The DFAS of today is very different from the one that existed five years ago,' Bloom said. 'We are a leaner organization that delivers better products and services than ever before.'

Under Bloom's tenure, the agency began a major modernization effort to consolidate more than 250 disparate and outdated accounting systems. DFAS, the chief architect of financial improvements within DOD, has revamped financial policies and supply systems tools that help its personnel resolve payment recording problems (see story).

Bloom previously served as the chief financial officer at both the Commerce Department and General Services Administration. He has also served as the inspector general at the Education Department.